Board of Commissioners Meetings

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE A PURCHASE AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $550,000 FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY FOR THE WEST MISSISSIPPI RIVER REGIONAL TRAIL ALONG DAYTON RIVER ROAD (RIFE PROPERTY; PID 1012022430003) IN THE CITY OF DAYTON; TO ENTER INTO AN ACQUISITION REIMBURSEMENT GRANT WITH THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL; AND TO ESTABLISH A PROJECT BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $575,000 WITH LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE LAND ACQUISITION DEVELOPMENT AND BETTERMENT FUND.

Prepared By: Heather Kuikka, Planning and Research Coordinator

Background:

City of Dayton staff reached out Three Rivers staff to notify them of a potential acquisition opportunity (Rife Property; PID 1012022430003) located along the West Mississippi River Regional Trail on Dayton River Road. The property owner has retained a real estate agent and was in the process of putting the parcel on the open market for sale but has temporarily postponed that process to allow Three Rivers to consider acquisition as the property owner is interested in preserving the property.

The subject property is 5.46 acres, sits directly on the Mississippi River, and is undeveloped without any structures. The subject property is located two parcels east of Cloquet Overlook Park and Elsie Stephens Park and across the Mississippi River from West Mississippi River Regional Park and Cloquet Island.

As with other recent acquisitions along the Mississippi River and West Mississippi River Regional Trail, acquisition of the property provides an opportunity to connect future trail users visually and physically with the Mississippi River. It also provides an opportunity to further separate the trail from the adjacent Dayton River Road: Attached map.

At the request of the property owner's agent, staff has drafted a purchase agreement based on the intended listing price of $550,000. The draft purchase agreement is currently being reviewed internally and by the sellers (draft purchase agreement attached). Staff will walk in the final purchase agreement and share any subsequent changes at the Board meeting. Since staff were not able to complete an appraisal prior to drafting the purchase agreement due to the timing of when the parcel went up for sale and the monthly Board meeting schedule, the Purchase Agreement includes a contingency requiring that the appraised value be equal to or more than the listed purchase price or the purchase agreement will be null and void. Staff have hired an appraiser to conduct an appraisal and anticipate that it will be complete in mid-May. Assuming the appraised value equals or exceeds the Purchase Agreement purchase price, staff will proceed with all typical acquisition processes.

The total estimated acquisition cost, which includes the sale price, appraisal, legal fees, and title commitment/insurance is $575,000.

The acquisition is eligible for up to 75% ($431,250) reimbursement from the Metropolitan Council and Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) Fund. The balance of $143,750 would be covered by the Three Rivers Land Acquisition Development and Betterment Fund (LADB), which has a current balance of about $650,000 when accounting for other approved acquisitions.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

Rife Purchase Agreement.docx

Rife Map.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH BASSETT CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION AND CITY OF ROBBINSDALE TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT THE SOCHACKI PARK WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITH THE WATERSHED COMMISSION REIMBURSING THE PARK DISTRICT UP TO $600,000 WITH FUNDING FROM THEIR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

Prepared By: Jami Markle, Director of Natural Resources

Background:

The proposed Sochacki Park water quality improvement project is a collaborative effort between Three Rivers, City of Golden Valley, City of Robbinsdale, and Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission (BCWMC). The project is located within Sochacki Park and South Halifax Park and aims to improve water quality within MN DNR protected wetlands (Grimes Pond, South Rice Pond, and North Rice Pond) and Bassett Creek by reducing chronic erosion and sedimentation, improving aquatic vegetation, enhancing buffers and wildlife habitat, and improving recreation and educational opportunities. The park is operated by Three Rivers in cooperation with Robbinsdale and Golden Valley through the Sochacki Park Joint Powers Agreement.

At their March 16, 2023, meeting, BCWMC approved adding the Sochacki Park project to their five-year CIP for construction in 2025, with $600,000 budgeted for the effort. The Sochacki Park Water Quality Improvement Project Feasibility Study (based on a 2022 sub-watershed assessment) was completed by Barr Engineering and approved by BCWMC in September 2023, at which point, the project was officially ordered in their CIP process.

The next step is executing a cooperative agreement among project partners. Key provisions address authorizing Three Rivers as the design and construction lead, contract administration, environmental and regulatory reviews, ongoing operations and maintenance of constructed features, and reimbursement of up to $600,000 for design and construction expenses. Staff recommends approval of this cooperative agreement that will allow project partners to proceed into final design and implementation.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

Cooperative Agreement with BCWMC - Sochacki Park Water Quality Project.DOCX

Sochacki Park Locator Map and Construction Sites.pptx

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH BARR ENGINEERING TO DESIGN AND ADMINISTER THE SOCHACKI PARK WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $500,000 WITH FUNDING DESIGNATED FOR THIS PURPOSE THROUGH THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

Prepared By: Jami Markle, Director of Natural Resources

Background:

With a project feasibility study completed in 2023, and with local and federal funding secured, Three Rivers staff are prepared to move forward with the Sochacki Park Water Quality Improvement Project.

Barr Engineering is included in Park District’s consulting pool, and has been involved with this project since its inception several years ago. After completing a two-year sub-watershed assessment in 2022, followed by the preliminary design and Phase I Environmental Site Assessment as part of the Feasibility study in 2023, Barr is well-equipped to carry this project forward under the proposed contract. The scope of work includes continued coordination and stakeholder engagement, field investigations for Phase II environmental review, design plans and specifications for the constructed storm water basins, regulatory permitting, bidding assistance, and construction administration. If the contract is approved, field work for the design will begin in May with a goal of having the project ready to bid in January 2025.

The overall planning level opinion of cost for the water quality improvement project is $1.65 million, excluding the alum treatments that will be addressed in a future project phase (project summary attached). Staff recommends that this contract with Barr Engineering is awarded in an amount not to exceed $500,000.

The Sochacki Park water quality improvement project is included as a line item in the 2024 Asset Management Program and is funded through a $600,000 CIP contribution from Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission, and a portion of the $1.6 million Congressionally Designated Funding federal grant.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

Barr Engineering Contract - Sochacki Water Quality Improvement Project.pdf

Project Summary Table - Sochacki Park Water Quality Improvement.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

MOTION TO: 1) REJECT BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) SNOW GROOMER FROM PRINOTH, LLC OF ST. PETER, MN; 2) AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) SNOW GROOMER FROM KASSBOHRER ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES, INC. OF JORDAN, MN IN THE AMOUNT OF $423,000 WITH FUNDING FROM THE HYLAND HILLS FUND BALANCE.

Prepared By: Doug Berens, Director of Maintenance and Eric Quiring, General Counsel

Background:

Bids were opened Wednesday, March 27 for the purchase of one (1) snow groomer to replace one of the existing groomers at Hyland Hills Ski Area. Two bids were received:

The Minimum Technical Specifications included in the bid documents called for a Pisten Bully 400 Park Pro, or equivalent model, with an itemized list of several required accessories, attachments, production features, parts and service.

The Specifications required “hydraulic transport tines for moving snow guns and terrain park equipment.” Hydraulically operated transport tines (forks) are a standard feature built into the Pisten Bully blade and are used on a near daily basis for moving, switching out, and resetting terrain park features. Prinoth does not offer built-in hydraulic transport tines. Prinoth offered to provide an after-market attachment without any specifications as to manufacturer, how it would attach, or weight capacity. The Prinoth attachment would have to be attached to the blade and removed each time the forks were needed, whereby increasing the time necessary to perform the work.

The Minimum Technical Specifications also required “AutoTrace Tiller automatic tiller steering.” The AutoTrace feature in the Pisten Bully automatically adjusts (steers) the tiller attachment to follow behind the groomer when cornering or when grooming on cross slopes in order to cover the groomer tracks. Prinoth does not offer this feature. Besides operating the blade and watching what’s going on in front of the groomer, the operator would have to steer the tiller to follow the groomer.

The Specifications also required “24/7 local availability of parts and service.” Time is of the essence when service and/or parts are needed to keep the equipment operating. Kassborer All Terrain Vehicles, the Pisten Bully dealer, is located in Jordan, MN; 20 miles from Hyland Hills where they have an inventory of parts and a mechanic shop. They have four mechanics that work in the shop as well as on the road. Prinoth parts are available in St. Peter, MN; 55 miles from Hyland Hills. They do not have a shop, rather, they have two mechanics that work on the road covering the Midwest.

For the aforementioned reasons, staff’s opinion is that the Prinoth Bison X does not meet the Minimal Technical Specifications required by the Park District, and as called out in the bid documents. In determining the lowest responsible bidder, the Board may exercise reasonable discretion by considering, in addition to the bid price, the quality, suitability, and adaptability of the equipment to be purchased for the use for which it is intended. Accordingly, staff recommends rejecting the bid from Prinoth and awarding a contract to Kassbohrer All Terrain Vehicles, Inc. in the amount of $423,000 with funding from the Hyland Hills fund balance.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Superintendent's Recommendation:

ACCEPT CONVEYANCE OF HYLAND GREENS GOLF COURSE PROPERTY AND GRANT A CONSERVATION EASEMENT TO THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON.

Background:

Hyland Greens Golf Course is owned by the City of Bloomington and has been operated by the Park District pursuant to a Cooperative Agreement since March 2021. That Agreement expired at the end of 2023 and the City and Park District have been engaged in ongoing discussions about the future of the arrangement.

As the Board was informed at the March 21, 2024 Board meeting, the City has offered to convey the property to the Park District for continued recreational use. The City held a public hearing at its February 26, 2024 Council meeting regarding the possible conveyance of the property to the Park District. Following the public hearing and public feedback, the City agreed to conveying the property to the Park District as long as it was protected for public recreational use.

Legal counsel for the City and Park District have worked on finalizing the conveyance documents. Upon Board approval of the conveyance, the City would provide deeds to the Park District and the Park District would then grant the attached Conservation Easement to the City.

The intent of this Conservation Easement is to preserve the Property for public recreational use or public open-space use in perpetuity. The Conservation Easement provides that the property may not be developed or used for residential, institutional, agricultural, industrial, or commercial purposes beyond those attendant to recreational uses. In addition, the property may be upgraded or redeveloped as necessary to accommodate new or existing public recreational uses. The City’s proposed restrictions align with the Park District’s intended use of the property and allow for flexibility to accommodate future recreational uses.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

Hyland Greens Conservation Easement.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED; THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.

Background:

The Superintendent (or designee) will provide a verbal update to Commissioners on current Park District legislative initiatives. A copy of the 2024 Legislative Platform is attached for Commissioners’ reference.

Relationship to the System Plan:

The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:

Goal 1: You Belong Here

Goal 2: Parks Matter

Goal 3: Lead by Example

Attachments:

Legislative Platform.pdf

Superintendent's Recommendation:

NO ACTION REQUIRED; THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.

Background:

Commissioners are encouraged to share announcements and discuss ideas for future topics of interest.

Attachments:

04-18 Board Proposed Discussion Topics.pdf